Anna Karenina

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Laura Paton

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Anna Karenina has been described as the perfect Russian novel. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Anna Karenina is defenseless against the power of her passions once they are unleashed by the adoration of Count Vronsky. Having defied the rules of 19th century Russian society, Anna is forced to pay a heavy price. Human nature, with all its failings, is the fabric of which this great and passionate work is composed.

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Public Domain (P)1996 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Narrator is wonderful

I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this may be one of the best narrators I have heard. Her diction is crisp and clean with perfect pace and rhythm. She changes her voice only slightly for the many different characters in this book -- just enough to make me aware of the person speaking but not so much as to "make it a performance." I notice she has few books in the Audible library. Please, authors, use this narrator more -- especially when you might have the horrible notion to narrate your book yourself. I might add that the abridgement is exceedingly well-done. Some might argue that abridgement is the only improvement that can be made on Tolstoy . . .

I liked it.

I have listened to the unabridged version also that is narrated by Wanda McCaddon. Even though that version had a slight echo I liked Wanda's narration better. Laura Paton's narration is good though. I got this abridged version because I would like to hear the story again but not for 33 hours. Most of the Anna and Vronsky stuff is communicated in this book but Levin and the Levin/Kitty relationship is choppy. Although I don't think that'll I'll listen to the unabridged version again, I'm glad that I did listen to it at least once. I will listen to this version again and again.

Dramatic, Vivid, Intense

Thank you so much for making this great recording. It was dramatic, vivid, intense show.

Loved it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was well narrated and a joy to listen to.

What about Laura Paton’s performance did you like?

I absolultely loved her voice - she made the story come alive

Very accessible

What made the experience of listening to Anna Karenina the most enjoyable?

I found Tolstoy difficult to read because of the vast number of characters and length of the books. I never manage to persevere to the end. At least I know what Tolstoy is like now.

Any additional comments?

The narrator has got an amazing range of voices for both male and female characters. She brings it to life.